The Bedford Jewry was a small but fascinating Jewry, with an active medieval Jewish community, who took part in the turbulent history of the times, including resisting the King in the siege of Bedford castle. The modern community was founded in the 18th century, and in the 19th century; the Rabbi of Bedford Synagogue caused scandal by converting to Christianity. Later, in the century, Morris Lissack, fought a successful one-man battle for Jewish education and emancipation in Bedford. At the turn of the 20th century the remarkable Abrahams family took up residence in Bedford and produced two Jewish Olympic athletes, including Harold Abrahams, who Olympic feats were celebrated in the film 'Chariots of Fire'.